Letters: The world belongs to all of us – so let’s make it a kinder place
Readers ponder on kindness, correct language and Christmas number ones. Plus we have Trump as a monster from the deep
by: Letters
12 Jan 2026
Image: Cottonbro Studios from Pexels
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What we can do to make the world more kind and less negative? No small task!
When will there be kindness for the world?
The story about the first female Syrian refugee pilot shows that Britain can be the land of opportunity! What a fantastic talking point to show how we welcome people in need and help them become people they’re proud to be and citizens we’re proud to have! If only all of the UK had this mindset. The world belongs to us all and we’re only here for a short time, so let’s be kind and make it a kinder place.
Rowan Claire, Facebook
We have a male Iranian refugee pilot in our church family. He was fortunate to get his family out on a flight to London. They are a Christian family, converted and worshipping in the underground church in Iran. They came here for safety and it is wonderful to be able to welcome them in despite the appalling reaction of our roundabout-painting compatriots.
Colin Pidgeon, Facebook
I’ve read some negative points and laughing emojis [in response to this article]. If you tarnish and paint everyone the same, you have a very heavy weight on your shoulders. Hate and fear can go side by side. And in time your own judgement on life will become very cloudy and lead maybe to loneliness. There are bad people but the majority, I like to think, just want to live peacefully.
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Try to be nice… it’s a lot healthier and you will be remembered for it more than what you may think. To a healthy new year!
Keith Smith, Facebook
The sickness of Reform and blatant racism pervades like a plague. We will find a way to overcome, but I agree and understand the intimidation deliberately being caused. The infuriation I feel seeing the flags, the mob behaviour, the lack of government taking responsibility and making them accountable. But I truly believe there is hope and good people will be strong and stand up.
@sharonhopewilliams, Instagram
Stream of hope
Marc Burrows believed the public’s mass act of protest which propelled Rage Against the Machine’s Killing in the Name to Christmas Number One in 2009 would be the last time that would ever happen. He thought the algorithms were now too strong to allow anything new in to break the tradition of Christmas oldies at Number One.
He did concede that a disruptor could still break through but “it would require an enormous, highly mobilised fanbase prepared to buy music rather than stream it” – and that’s just what we, the public did this year. The Christmas Number One in the Official Singles Downloads Chart for 2025 was Lullaby by Together for Palestine, a charity single featuring UK and Palestinian artists raising urgent funds for Palestinian-led aid organisations in Gaza and the West Bank. The music is wonderful – you can buy direct from Bandcamp.
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The Christmas message from the first female Archbishop of Canterbury was welcome in highlighting “the work” required by all after Christmas. But it was nevertheless disappointing when saying “we cannot avert our eyes from the suffering in Ukraine, the Middle East or Sudan”.
We expect our leaders (especially those of faith) to use language in an honest, uncomplicated way. To use the ‘Middle East’ in this way (rather than Gaza) is unhelpful and disingenuous.
Richard Bridge, York
Walsall wonder
The beautiful lady (inside and out) who sells Big Issue outside Walsall Co-op called an ambulance and helped save the life of a homeless man who slept outside the shop. She is a true hero.
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Leandra
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We the People
I have completed this small 11”x 14” acrylic painting on canvas, titled We the People. The imagery in the painting includes a depiction of Donald Trump’s head attached to the body of an evil monster resembling an octopus. The arms of this octopus entangle religious images, soldiers and modern weapons. We must resist political and social oppression! Diego Marcial Rios
Not a fan of Starmer but the alternatives may well not be any better.
@philly.darcy, Instagram
Compared to the previous four PMs he’s doing a fantastic job.
@maddotoe, Instagram
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No way back for Labour – all the fan boys / girls enjoy it as it won’t happen again for generations.
@balanced_sanj, Instagram
Unfortunately whatever party comes into power, doesn’t start with a clean slate and must mop up after the last lot. Tories had to do it after Labour, Labour have to do it after Tories. Let’s face it we’ll never be back on track whichever party is in power.
@mrs_polly1980, Instagram
I think Labour may well go the way of the Tories – irrelevant. The middle ground has gone and now we are super polarised. I am not sure we actually have a political solution to our problems.
@1580villamistral, Instagram
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